6
around IFB
Who’s who at Indiana Farm Bureau
District 9 Director Philip Springstun —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Philip Springstun of Boonville is the District 9 director, and in that position he acts as a liaison between District 9 members and the IFB board of directors. But his first involvement with Farm Bureau was as a child when he participated in the pet & hobby activities at his local county annual meetings. He was elected director in 2008 after serving Warrick County Farm Bureau in various capacities including secretary/treasurer and president. He met his future wife, Debbie, when he joined Warrick County Rural Youth in 1979. He and Debbie own and operate the farm that has been in Debbie’s family since 1871. They raise corn, soybeans and hay and have a 25-head commercial beef cow herd, most of which is marketed as freezer beef. Every Saturday in the summer, they participate in
the Warrick County Farmer’s Market, selling freezer beef, squirrel corn, and seasonal produce. He also works part time for an auction company and a large grain farmer when time allows. “My favorite part of being a district director has been the friends I have made within Farm Bureau, getting to know people within the district and making lifelong friends all over the state of Indiana,” Springstun said. “The opportunities and knowledge IFB has given me to expand my passion for agriculture is priceless. “I think it is extremely important for all of agriculture to come together,” he added. “It does not matter the size or type of operation of any farm. We are all important and needed in this growing population. Regardless if it is a county, state, or federal issue, we must be at the table for the discussion. If we are not at the table for the decision, we might be on the menu.” Besides Farm Bureau, Springstun is involved with
—By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team
the Warrick County Community Foundation, which he co-founded, is trustee for Plainview Memorial Cemetery, and served on the Warrick County 4-H Fair committee for 24 years. He has also been very active in his church, Baker Chapel UMC. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and motorcycle riding. He and Debbie have two children: Maggie, 28, an associate food technologist for Kellogg’s, and Logan, 24, a sales associate for Pioneer Seed Products, Steve Lindauer Farms.
Who’s who at Indiana Farm Bureau
Dave Wyeth, District 5 Director —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Like many Farm Bureau members, IFB District 5 Director Dave Wyeth owes his start in the organization to another member asking him to get active. “I became involved when Meredith Kincaid asked me to join my county board as a young farmer representative,” Wyeth said. He then served as Hendricks County vice president for more than 10 years. As District 5 director, he represents nine counties in west-central Indiana and serves as a board member for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. Wyeth is a fourth-generation farmer. He started in 1984 with a farm purchased as a sophomore in high school, raising corn, soybeans and hogs. Today, he lives near North Salem with his wife, Lisa, where he grows corn and soybeans. He continues to learn more about sustainable agriculture and keeps his eyes on future trends for his farm and the
April 8, 2013
organization. “In a few years Indiana Farm Bureau will turn its first century as an organization which serves and promotes agriculture. It will be my goal for the company to continue successfully into the next century. Agriculture will have many challenges ahead and Farm Bureau will have to be the leader for all of agriculture,” he said. Farm Bureau isn’t the only organization Wyeth offers his time and talents to. He’s a part of class 15 in the Indiana Agriculture Leadership Program and serves or has served on the Indiana Environmental Quality Service Council, Hendricks County Comprehensive Plan Committee, Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District, Hendricks County Extension board and the Hendricks County Leadership program. All of these activities have given him the chance to do something he loves: Work with people while sharing a love of agriculture. “The opportunities I have to meet so many farmers
New issue groups to provide expertise on nutrient management and water resources
from across the state and to learn about all of Indiana agriculture. It is also refreshing to know that our grassroots members are always very engaged with Farm Bureau policy. “It is an honor to serve as a board member for our companies, members and employees.” In his free time, he enjoys hunting for antique collectibles and watching football.
Two new groups of Farm Bureau members have met to share farmer insight on important public policy issues: nutrient management and water resources. “The input they give helps to frame and direct my work as a staff member in implementing Farm Bureau policy,” said Justin Schneider, IFB staff attorney. Members of the groups were selected based on experience with the topics, involvement in Farm Bureau and geography. The nutrient group includes 13 members; water resources has 15. The nutrient group will review nutrient management and soil health matters, providing farmer insight on strategy addressing legal and regulatory authority challenges. Members implementing differing nutrient management and conservation practices on farm comprise the group. Members of the water resources group provide input into statewide strategy for water resources to ensure long-term access for agriculture. “The drought of 2012 highlighted the need to develop more proactive strategies in water resource management,” Schneider said. Schneider anticipates these groups will meet about twice a year or on an as-needed basis. The groups have the opportunity to offer policy recommendations.
Indiana crop insurance payouts top $1 billion – a state record —From the Purdue Ag Communications Service Indiana farmers so far have received more than $1 billion in crop insurance payments from losses last year when drought ravaged crops throughout the state. The payouts are double the previous record. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that as of March 11, insurance payouts for 2012 corn, soybeans and wheat losses had reached $1.04 billion. The dollar amount will likely grow somewhat in coming weeks as final claims are filed, said Chris Hurt, Purdue Extension agricultural economist. “These crop insurance indemnities are the primary reason the state’s farm sector income has not collapsed under drought losses,” Hurt said. “The income-stabilizing impact of crop insurance has helped keep rural communities economically healthy.” The previous record amount of insurance indemnity payments to Indiana farmers for the three crops was $522 million in 2008. Of the total amount of 2012 insurance indemnities, $900 million in payments
have been for corn losses. Indiana corn yields averaged 99 bushels per acre, nearly 40 percent below normal. The previous high for corn was $269 million for the 2008 crop. Corn sales from the limited crop are generating about $700 million less across the state than had been expected before the drought. “So an infusion of an additional $900 million in insurance claims will bring total receipts to somewhat more than pre-drought estimates,” Hurt said. Because of the large losses in 2012, Indiana corn farmers on average received $3.47 of insurance indemnity for each $1 they paid for crop insurance premiums. Losses in soybeans accounted for the second-largest insurance payouts – $138 million. Soybean yields were not affected as much as corn last year because of more abundant late-summer rains. Final yields in Indiana were 43.5 bushels per acre, down about 10 percent from normal. Final soybean marketing revenues for the state are expected to be about $275 million less than had been expected before the drought.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com